Pakistan issues naval warning as India begins tri-services exercise Trishul near Sir Creek

Pakistan on Saturday issued a naval navigational warning for a firing exercise in the same area where India has reserved airspace for its ongoing tri-services military drill, Trishul. The development was first reported by open-source intelligence (OSINT) analyst Damien Symon.

The move follows Islamabad’s recent Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), restricting several air routes across central and southern Pakistan from October 28-29. Although no reason was given, defence analysts suggest it could be linked to a military drill or weapons test timed to coincide with India’s large-scale operation.

India’s Exercise Trishul, scheduled from October 30 to November 10, is being conducted near the Sir Creek region along the Pakistan border. The Defence Ministry described it as one of the country’s most significant joint military operations in recent years, designed to demonstrate joint capabilities, atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and technological innovation.

Satellite imagery shared by Symon indicates that India has reserved airspace up to 28,000 feet for the exercise, underscoring its scale. The Ministry said the drills involve amphibious operations off the Saurashtra coast, offensive manoeuvres in the creek and desert sectors, and coordinated missions across air, land, and sea. “Troops from Southern Command will actively participate to validate joint operations across diverse terrains,” it said.

Pakistan’s naval and airspace restrictions appear to signal close monitoring of India’s border manoeuvres. Such tit-for-tat moves have become common since Operation Sindoor, India’s joint response to the Pahalgam attack, when Indian forces struck multiple terror camps and military sites across the border. Since then, both nations have routinely issued NOTAMs and exercise alerts in overlapping regions as part of ongoing strategic signaling.

Defence experts say the recent overlap reflects mutual deterrence rather than imminent escalation. “This is calibrated signalling, both sides asserting readiness,” said a regional military analyst. “But when activities occur in the same area, the risk of misinterpretation increases.”

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